After testing hundreds of samples, B.C. bats are happily white-nose syndrome-free so far, despite knowing the fungus that causes the disease is here.
The fungus pseudogymnoascus destructans was discovered in the Boundary Region in 2022, but recently results from 413 samples taken last winter and spring came back negative for the syndrome. It鈥檚 a surprise, but great news, according to Julianna Laposa-Wilde, southern Vancouver Island coordinator for the BC Community Bat Programs.
鈥淎cross North America, millions of bats have been killed, and seven of our 15 B.C. species could be severely affected by the disease,鈥� Laposa-Wilde said in a news release. The Little Brown Myotis and the Northern Myotis are both listed as Endangered in Canada due to white-nose syndrome. There is no cure for the illness however, several promising treatment options are being developed.
First detected in New York State in 2006, the disease continues to spread, with detections in northwestern and central Washington and in south-central Alberta. The fungus does not cause disease in humans and pets, but white-nose syndrome has devastated North American bat populations, according to BC Community Bat Programs. The fungus attacks bats while they are hibernating, growing on their faces to give the appearance of a white nose. Bats often wake to clean the fungus from their skin. This uses valuable energy, and eventually, the bats die from starvation.
The BC Community Bat Programs and the province are asking the public for help in the effort to detect and prevent the spread of white-nose syndrome in bats. Residents are urged to report any winter bat activity and sick or dead bats found before May 31.
鈥淭he more bat reports from the public that we receive, the better we can understand how WNS might spread and affect local bat populations,鈥� Laposa-Wilde said.
All live bats should be left alone. Any person or pet in direct contact with a bat should contact the BC Community Bat Programs for more information.
鈥淭he bats of B.C. are key predators of many night-flying insects. They are essential parts of B.C.鈥檚 ecosystems and provide a huge economic benefit by helping control agricultural, forest, and urban pests,鈥� says Laposa-Wilde.
Anyone who finds a dead bat or sees winter bat activity is asked to report it online at www.bcbats.ca, by email at bat@hat.bc.ca or by calling 1-855-922-2287 ext. 12.
Learn more at www.bcbats.ca.
